Integra DTR-50.3 THX Select2+ Networked Receiver Preview

[admin]

Is the Integra DTR-50.3 a great receiver? From the specs, absolutely. So, what is there to get excited about with this new Integra DTR-50.3? Honestly, not a lot if you aren't a custom installer. Mavell QDEO processing up to 4k for a display you can't buy, IDT HQV Vida VHD1900 chips for scaling and individual input calibration, tons of inputs and outputs (including dual subwoofer outputs), Audyssey MultEQ XT/DSX, Dolby PLIIz...all the players are here. Custom installers will like the bi-directional Ethernet and RS232 ports for control, 2 IR inputs and 1 out, 3 programmable 12-V triggers, non-volatile and lockable dealer settings.

Discuss "Integra DTR-50.3 THX Select2+ Networked Receiver Preview" here. Read the article.

 

[surveyor]

Integra still has some quirks within HDMI 1.4a to smooth out. Their HDMI through when the unit is off is about as smooth as a brown derby beer. I would guess that the other brands have some issues with HDMI as well?

 

[FirstReflection]

HDMI does tend to give almost every manufacturer at least a few headaches. Some manufacturers are better than others when it comes to fast releases of firmware updates to fix those issues. Onkyo/Integra seem to not be the best, but also not the worst. They release firmware updates, but you'll often have to live with a few errors for a while, and sometimes certain issues are never fixed.

In the receiver world, when it comes to the newest features and inputs, Onkyo/Integra tends to be first on the scene - and they'll often come in with the lowest price as well. But that speed-to-market and the cost-cutting measures needed to hit those price points seem to lead to there often being a few errors and issues.

Denon will usually come along a number of months later - sometimes even a full 9-12 month cycle behind. So you won't get all the newest features and inputs at the same time as Onkyo/Integra, and the price tag on the Denon will often be a little bit higher, but Denon's receivers tend to have fewer errors and problems as a reward for your patience and extra dollars

I still like Onkyo a lot. If you want to be the first person with the newest features, you sort of have to expect that you'll run into a few hiccups being that "early adopter" type. And you can't complain about Onkyo's asking prices either. But if it is more important to you to have every feature working with very few hiccups along the way, then it would probably be a better choice to wait a few months, pay a bit more, and get the Denon

 

[M Code]

A couple of followup points..
1. USB port for iPod/iPhone
This provides higher quality digital audio digital streams bypassing the internal DAC of the iPod/iPhone
2. DTS Neo.X
Integra should have included this DSP algorithm
3. Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Though somewhat effective, @ this higher SRP, Dolby Volume should have been included

Just my $0.02...